Looking For a New Audio Receiver

[California93]

So for a while my family and I have had a Sony DA555ES 5.1 A/V receiver. It is really good, and outputs about 130 watts over 5 channels.

It has served us greatly, but unfortunately, it doesn't use HDMI.


And when I got a PS3 for Christmas last year, I realized the best I could do for audio was using a Digital Optical Cable. It sounds good, but we want something that has HDMI and decodes the latest audio formats.


Our entertainment room isn't huge, so we really don't need anything "huge" either.


After a couple of weeks of research, I have found three receivers that suit our purposes well. I have lined them up in order of which ones me and my parents like the best.


1) Onkyo TX-SR606 ($387.75)

2) Yamaha HTR-6160BL ($379.00)

3) Sony STR-DG820 ($399.99)



We have also been looking at 7.1 speaker systems, and the one we like a lot is the Onkyo SKS-HT540. (It received a 7.7 out of 10 on cnet.com, which is great because they hate almost everything they review.)

[Driver_King]

Onkyo 606 or Yamaha 663 should be your best two choices. I say no go on the Sony. If not look at the 805, which is way better than all of those, or this reciever in a closer range to the Sony that is still much better.

[allstar780]

Originally Posted by Driver_King

Onkyo 606 or Yamaha 663 should be your best two choices. I say no go on the Sony. If not look at the 805, which is way better than all of those, or this reciever in a closer range to the Sony that is still much better.

I have to agree. At my work 4 people so far have returned Sony receivers from the most recent line because it would not output 1080P video from the PS3 properly... It would either output no picture or the color would be off. Onkyo is a very reliable brand and at that price the 606 is a no-brainer

[bdrex28]

Take a look at:

Yamaha V663
Onkyo 606
Pioneer 1018 (think I'm buying this one or....)
Denon 1909 (this one)
HK has two new ones as well, can't remember their numbers though.

[mustang-gt-2002]

well I have the YAMAHA RX-V663 and I love it got it on line for $399.99 cant remaber where. but do a google shopping search. you will find it.

[hagar852]

Originally Posted by allstar780

I have to agree. At my work 4 people so far have returned Sony receivers from the most recent line because it would not output 1080P video from the PS3 properly... It would either output no picture or the color would be off. Onkyo is a very reliable brand and at that price the 606 is a no-brainer

What model sony's??

I have had the DG910 and now the DA3300ES... never had any problems with video or sound..

[Ranger-R]

I've read alot of good things about the Onkyo 805 on this forum and others, but if your going to jump to that price point the Pioneer 1018 is worth examining. If you want to stay in the current price range, I'd pick the 606.

[D1-2005]

I'm also looking to upgrade, but I'm leaning more towards the Yamaha 663 mainly because of the Burr Brown DAC's.

[jswilli1]

Originally Posted by Ranger-R

I've read alot of good things about the Onkyo 805 on this forum and others, but if your going to jump to that price point the Pioneer 1018 is worth examining. If you want to stay in the current price range, I'd pick the 606.

Cali93 I had the same exact Sony DA555ES 5.1 A/V receiver you are wanting to replace. This was the 3rd Sony reciever I have owned over the years and yes it was a great reciever. With the help of this forum and my own research I jump ship from Sony and bought the Onkyo 805. I recommend going to the Onkyo site and do a comparison between the receivers 606, 705, and 805 if your interested in the Onkyo line. For me the HDMI inputs were great and allowed me to connect all my components via HDMI and get rid of all the optical, rca, and component video cables. The 805 is a beast at 53 pounds! and needs plenty of space to breath so take this into account. Since you live in SF bay area go to Fry's and check out the recievers you interested in, I bought my 805 in the East Bay several months ago. Fry's always puts their recievers onsale especially on Fry's Friday.

[GeneD5]

I can speak for the 606...hd cable looks beautiful, blus look beautiful through my ps3, sound is fantastic! Also very easy to use and doesn't get too hot. It has 4 hdmi inputs as well. It is especially great if you've never heard HD audio before. Buy what feels best to you and have a lot of fun!

[MacDaddyOJack]

Originally Posted by D1-2005

I'm also looking to upgrade, but I'm leaning more towards the Yamaha 663 mainly because of the Burr Brown DAC's.

Are you sure the 663 has Burr-Brown DAC's? I was under the impression that it did not, but I'm not positive. I thought the loweset Yamaha to have Burr-Brown DAC's was the RX-V1800. Anyone know for sure?

EDIT: It does have Burr-Brown DAC's, I just checked the Yamaha website. I think the RX-V1800 just uses a better version.

[prerich]

Yamaha RX-V663, Pioneer VSX-1018, or the Onkyo 606. In that order IMHO
But seriously you need to see what you like first! Consider your speakers, what type of characterisics they have. (What type of speakers do you have actually)? Mate your receiver to your speakers characteristics so it will sound like a "system".

[prerich]

Originally Posted by MacDaddyOJack

Are you sure the 663 has Burr-Brown DAC's? I was under the impression that it did not, but I'm not positive. I thought the loweset Yamaha to have Burr-Brown DAC's was the RX-V1800. Anyone know for sure?

EDIT: It does have Burr-Brown DAC's, I just checked the Yamaha website. I think the RX-V1800 just uses a better version.

Yes I'm sure, Oh I just read your edit.

[allstar780]

Originally Posted by hagar852

What model sony's??

I have had the DG910 and now the DA3300ES... never had any problems with video or sound..

not sure, but I will check into that tonite when i go to work

[kingofgrills]

Originally Posted by MacDaddyOJack

Are you sure the 663 has Burr-Brown DAC's? I was under the impression that it did not, but I'm not positive. I thought the loweset Yamaha to have Burr-Brown DAC's was the RX-V1800. Anyone know for sure?

EDIT: It does have Burr-Brown DAC's, I just checked the Yamaha website. I think the RX-V1800 just uses a better version.

Yamaha carries Burr Brown DACs throughout it's receiver line down to and including the RX-V463, so the 663 and 863 include them as well. The 363 contains a 192 kHz / 24 bit DAC, but it's not Burr Brown.

I would definitely recommend either the RX-V663 or 863 if you can afford it. They're fantastic with both movies and music, and have great power supplies.

[Anti-SD]

Guys, how many HDMI's inputs does the Yamama reciever have? I'm torn between the Yamaha and Onkyo, I like the 4HDMI's th Onkyo has but the Yamaha is slightly cheaper.

Damn, what a dilemma.

[squirrel101]

just a quick note about the pioneer it does not pick up audio from the hdmi it only passes video.

[Driver_King]

Don't worry about how many HDMI inputs it has. Monoprice sells switchers for cheap. Also, check out the 705. It is better than the 606.

[mustang-gt-2002]

Originally Posted by squirrel101

just a quick note about the pioneer it does not pick up audio from the hdmi it only passes video.

Y would pioneer have a receiver that has HDMI if it's not going to use the audio on my dvd player I had to turn it on from the menu to get audio.

[un4gvn94538]

Originally Posted by mustang-gt-2002

Y would pioneer have a receiver that has HDMI if it's not going to use the audio

if its pass through it wont output audio through your speakers unless its the tv speakers but i didnt look it up so i dont know if it does